Metal-extracting machine



May 19, 1925.

frA. KOCH new. Ex'mcrme msnm N ll- .IML

l n l f 5 Patented May 19, 1925.

FFICE.

ALBERT KOCH, 0F ITHACA, NEW YORK.

METAL-EXTRACTING lll/[ACHIN'IE',`

Application filed September 17, 1923. Serial No. 663,187.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT Koen, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Ithaca, county of Tompkins, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metal-- Extracting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in machines for and methods of'extrac-ting metals; and the nature and objects of the invention will be readily recognized and understood by those vskilled in thearts involved in the light of the following explanation and detailed description of the accompanying drawing illustrating what I at present consider to be the preferred embodiment or mechanica-ll expression of the invention from vamong various other forms, arrangements, combinations and constructions o-f which the 'invention is capable within the spirit and scope thereof.

The invention deals with and is applica ble generally to the extraction and separation of metals from metal'bearing earths; but is more particularly directed to the extraction and separation of precious metals, such as gold, when found in the free state mixed with gravel, dirt, clay and the like metal bearing earths.r

One of the main objects of the invention is the provision offan improved method of extracting .metal bearing earths with which they are mixed and present in the free state, so as to permit of extracting and separating a maximum proportion of t-he metal present in such earths with the resulting reduction in loss and waste, irrespective of the varying formsin which themetal may be encountered.

Another of the main objects of the invention is to provide simple, efficient apparatus for carrying out and performingthe extraction and separation of metals in the free state from metal bearing earths, in ac- .cordancewith the method of the invention.

lVith the foregoing and various other'objects and results in view, which other objects and results will be readily apparent to those familiar with this art from the following' explanation, the invention consists in certain novel features, and in certain novel constructions and arrangements and combinations of elements` as will he more and separating metals from fully and particularly referred to and specilied hereinafter.

The accompanying drawing is a more or less diagrammatical view in vertical section with parts in side elevation, of a machine for extracting and separating metals in the free state from metalbearing earths, in accordance with the invention.

In the accompanying drawing a machine or apparatus is disclosed for extracting and separating gold by the method of the in vcntion, from earths in which the gold is present in a free state, although it is to be understood as will be apparent, rthat the method or apparatus of the invention are not limited to the vseparation of gold, but are also adapted to the extraction and separation of metals generally from those earths in which the metals are present in ay free state. The apparatus presented herewith is merely disclosed as an example of one possible means of carrying out thc invention, and the method is described in connection with .the separation ofgold for purposes of explanation to permit of bringing forth the objects and results of the method ofthe invention for separating metals from 'the carths in which they are present.

Gold in the free state isV found mixed w1th earths, such as dirt, gravel, clayor the like and combinations thereof, in particles of varying sizes ranging from nuggets or particles of relativelylarge size to grains or flakes of exceedingly small size, and the problem encountered consists in extracting and separating these various sizes and forms of met-al, such as gold, with a minimum of loss or waste, and the sepa ation and reclaiming of a maximum of the metal pres ent in the earth with which itis mixed.

According to the method of the invention the ,gold or other metal bearing earth is placed in `and moistened with a suitable amount of water and the largest particles formingthe earth such as stones, gravel. and the like, including any large `rparticles or nuggets of gold areseparated and washed out from the mass of earth and water. The remaining massof earth is then subjected to a further separation by which particles of a smaller sizer including gold particles are separated and' washed out leaving the remaining mass formed ot very fine particles or grains and flakes of earth and gold. This reultant mass of tine particles of earth IPS Cfr

and metal with water is finally subjected to centrifugal action which throws the very tine flakes of metal to the outer portion of the mass against a mercury coated surface which collects these line flakes of gold by amalgamation. The coarser particles ot gold in the mass otl earth and water subjected to centrifugal action pass by gravity to the bottom of the mass into a collecting bowl or pan having a body of mercury therein which extracts and separates such particles by amalgamation therewith. The. particles ot' gold collected by amalgamation on the mercury coated surface and in the mercury bowl or pan can be removed and reclaimed in any ot the well known manners familiar to those skilled in this art, while the particles of gold or nuggets separated and washed out 'from the mass with the particles ot earth prior to the extraction by amalgamation ot-the very line particles, are separated and reclaimed in any desired manner. By the foregoing method itis possible to secure amaximum proportion oi'l gold from the earth with which mixed, as theY very tine grains or 'Hakes ot gold are readily extracted by amalgamation and are not lost or wasted, due to the subjecting ot the earth and water mass to centrifugal action which forces the liner particles into Contact with the mercury coated surface, while the heavier particles not acted upon by centrifugal torce are permitted to drop through the mass by gravity into the mercury ot a collecting pan or bowl.

In the accompanyingdrawing one possible :form ot apparatus or machine for carrying out the foregoing method is disclosed. ln this form ot apparatus of the invention a metal cylinder or the like G is mounted in a vertically disposed position on any suitable or desired base or trame (not shown) by the supporting brackets 21 Jformed in the present instance ot angle iron. A screen 9 is mounted at the upper `portion ot the iron cylinder (i a distance below :the upper end thereot, upon the brackets l1 which are secured to the hangers 7 suspended from the upper edge ot' the cylinder 6. A bracing member 10 is provided around the outer edge portion of the screen 9 on the under sui-tace thereof to stillen and strengthen the screen. The screen S) is formed with apertures therethrough ot a size to separate from the metal bearing earth the largest particles thereof, such as rocks and large gravel` while permitting the .tine gravel, sand and such like to pass therethrough.

A second screen 123 is mounted in the cylinder G a distance inwardly trom and below the upper screen 9 on supporting brackets 11 secured to the hangers "i". in a manner similar to the mounting ot the screen The screen 13 is provided with the bracing member or ring 14- secured around the under side thereot' at the outer or rim portion to stitlen and strengthen the screen in operation and use. The apertures ot the screen 13 are smaller in size than those ot' screen 9, and separate the line gravel and larger particles oi" the metal trom the sand and tine particles ot metal. permitting these latter to pass therethrough.

jin operating shat't 5 is mounted in a vertical position extending axially through the cylinder (i and centrally through the separating screens t) and 13. The sha'tt 5 is supported at its upper outer end portion in a bearing bracket 1 ot the usual or any other desired type, and has a pinion elixed thereon tor rotation therewith. A. driving shaft 3 operatively connected with any suitable or desired source ot' power (not shown) is provided with a bevel gear 2 in mesh with the pinion -1 ou the operating shait so that the latter rotated upon operation of the driving shall'r il, as will be clear by reference to the accompanying drawing. Blades S are mounted extending radially 'from a hubl'l fixed on the shatt 5, so as to extend across the upper surface of the screen 9 in substantial sliding engagement therewith, and similar blades 12 are mounted extending' radially from a hub 8l fixed on the shaft 5, so that the blades 12 extend across the upper surface of the screen 13 in sliding engagement therewith. y1`he mounting and position ot the blades 8 and 12, is such that they are revolved across the upper surfaces ot the screens 9 and 13, respectively, upon rotation of the shat't 5 by the driving shaft 3 and meshed gear 2 and pinion d. fin opening' controlled by a sluice gate 15 is provided through the cylinder (i adjacent and above the screen 9, and a similar opening controlled by a sluice gate 1G is provided in the cylinder t3 adjacent and above the screen 13. By means ot' these sluire gates 15 and 1G the materials separated by the screens 9 and 18, respectively, are torccd through the respective openings by the revolving blades S and 12.

The lower end ot' the cylinder (i is outwardly 'flanged and a bottom or closure plate 2G is removably xed over and closing' the open lower end oi the cylinder G by means ot the clamps 28 titting over the flanged lower end ot the cylinder. cylinder 1T 'formed in the present instance ot' copper, althoughthe invention is not so limited, as any other material having the necessary characteristics to secure the required results may be utilized. is mounted within and concentric with the portion ot' the iron cylinder or casing G below the separating screen lil with the operating shait :'i extending axially therethrough. rllhe cylinder 1T may be mounted and supported in position in any suitable or desired manner. as tor example CSI ypoint that-while a copper surface coated with mercury is employed in the present instance for collecting the fine particles of gold, va-

kIl() rious other materials maybe employed to form collecting surfaces suitable to the conditions and characteristics of the metals to be extracted and separated.`

- A sleeve or hub 2O is mounted on the shaft 5 within the mercury coated cylinder 17 and.

is provided with a series of paddles or blades `rotated by the driving shaft 3.

1S extending radially therefrom for rotation within the cylinderr 17 by the shaft 5. The pitch and mounting of the blades 1S on the shaft 5 in cylinder 17 is such that when rotated within a body of liquid in the cylinder a whirling ofthe liquid is set up and particles of matter in suspension therein are forced outwardly through the liquid into contact with the inner surface of the cylinder by thek action of centrifugal force. Any suitablev or desired bearing 36 is poe sitioned at the lower end of vand receiving the shaftl 5. At the extreme lower end of the shaft 5 the blades 22 are mounted on a hub 37 for rotation by the shaft and these blades 20 are disposed extending radially fro-1n the shaft in opposite directions spaced a distance `below butin proximity to the lower end of the' collecting andl amalgamating cylinder 17 A water or liquid discharge port or outlet 24 is formed through awall of the cylinder or casing 6 at the lower end of the cylinder 17 substantially in line with but extending a distance above `the path of rotation of the blades 22, and a second discharge port or outlet 23 is provided disposed above the outlet 24 at the upper portion of the cylinder 17. The purposeand functions of the discharge portsk or outlets 23 and 24 will be explained in detail hereinafter. i

A sliakerpan 25 is disposed within the cylinder or casing 6 spaced from the lower end of the collecting and amalgamating cylinder 17 below the blades 22 and on the bottom plate or closure 26. rThe shaker pan is mounted on and fixed to a vertically disposed shaft 29 extending upwardly through the bottom plate 26 in a bearing 27 on the under side thereof. The shaft 29 is formed with an armf30 extending laterally therefrom in *which4 a lever 31 is pivotally mounted. The lever 31 extends to and is pivotally mounted at its opposite end on and to a crank disk 32 which is rotated by a shaft suitably connected to a source of power (not shown) in any desired manner. Thus, by ro-k tation of crank disk 32 the lever 31 is reciprocatedand rocks `or rotates the shaft 29 back and forth to actuate the shaker pan 25, as will be clear from the drawing. In order to vsteady, the shaker pan 25, the upper end of shaft 29 is provided with a pin 3S which loosely fits upwardly into a bore in the end of the operating shaft 5, axially alined therewith. The bottom of the shaker pan 25 is filled withr mercury for amalgamation with and extraction of the coarse particles of vmetal which pass downwardly through the` cylinder' 17 by gravity.

i' ln operation and4 use, the metal bearing earth, in the present instance earth having gold in the free state mixed therein, is poured ltogether with water into the open upper end of the cylinder or casing 6 onto the screen v9,A and the operating shaft 5 is The blades Son the screen 9 are revolved thereover by shaft 5 and the gold bearing earth is forced through the screen 9, with the exception of the large particles such as rocks, vlarge gravel and thelike; which are separated from the mass of earth and water by the screen. The sluice gate 15 is opened and vthe separated rocks, gravel, etc. are forced outwardly therethrough by the revolving blades 8. The resultant mass of gold bearv.ing earth drops from screen 9 onto the screen forms a body or mass with the sand and line g ains and flakes of gold which pass through the screen 13 into the cylinder 17. The blades 18 rotating in this mass force the fine particles or lightvfiakes of gold outwardly into contact with the cylinder 17|` with the result that these particles of gold amalgamate with the mercury coated sur face of the cylinder and are thus extracted and separated .from the mass of earth and water. rlllieheavier particles vor grains of gold which are not thrown into contact with the mercury coated surface of the cylinder 17, drop by gravity into the shaker pan 25 and areextracted and separated from the mass of water, -sand and fine particles of earth by amalgamation with the mercury in the shaker pan, The bladesy 22 revolving in the mass of water agitate the sand and earth particles and force themoutwardly through the water outlet 24, which with outlet 23 permits passage o't' the water from the apparatus. In order to obtain the gold extracted and separated by the amalgamation steps of the method, the clamps 2S are removed and the bottom plate QG taken oil', the shaker pan assembly and cylinder 17 are then withdrawn 'from the cylinder or asing (i and the amalgamated gold 'taken 'from the shaker pan and the inner surtace ot cylinder 17. Thus, in the loregoinginanner by means ot the method and apparatus of the invention the maximum ot' gold is extracted from the earth, due particularly to the amalganuition steps which collect the tine gold particles such as the 'tlaltes and grains with a minimum oit loss.

It will be evident that various changes, modiiications, variations and substitutions might be resorted to without departing trom the spirit and scope ot the invention and hence it is not desired or intended to limit the invention to the exact disclosure hereoli.

Desiring to protect my invention in the broadest manner legally possible, what I claim is:

l. In a machine for extracting and separating metals in the free state from metal bearing earths, a series ot` separating screens adapted to separate out the larger particles ot earth and metal from earth torced therethrough, means embodying blades movable over said screens for Yforcing earth therethrough and tor removing the separated particles therefrom, and means for extracting and separating the tine grains and particles ot metal by amalgamation trom the residue ot earth after passage through said screens.

2. In a machine :tor extracting and separating metals in the tree state from metal bearing earths, a series of separating screens adapted to separate out the larger particles of earth and metal trom earth 'forced therethrough with a body of water, means embodying scraper blades movable over said screens to; forcing earth and water therethrough and for removing the separated particles, means for collecting the water and residue. o't' metal bearing earth after passage through said screens, and means tor extracting and collecting the line particles ot' metal trom the mass ot earth and water utter passage through said screens, by amalgamation.

3. In a machine 'tor extracting and separating metals in the iree state from metal vbearing earths, a series ot separating screens tor separating'the larger `particles oi metal and earth when forced therethrough with water, means tor forcing the earth through said screens, means A.tor collecting the line particles ot metal in the residue ot earth ,by amalgamation after passage through said screens, and means tor .forcing the tine parylessee-i,

tic-les ot metal in the residue mass ot earth and water outwardlytherethrough into contact with the amalgamating means by centrifugal force.

el. ln a machine tor extracting and separating metals in the tree state from metal hearing earths, a casing, a series ot separating screens mounted therein and thereacross, an amalgamating surface in said casing below said screens, means 'for forcing metal hearing earth and water through said separating screens, and means tor forcing` the tine particles ot' metal in the earth residue a'ttcr passage through said screens into contact with said amalgamating surtacc.

5. ln a machine tor extracting` and separating metals in the tree state trom metal bearing earths. a casing, a series ot separating screens mounted therein, a bottom closure for said casing to torm a chamber therewith below the separating screens, an amalgamating surface in the casing below said screens` means tor torcing` metal bearing earth through said screens with a bodjvr ot' water, the chamber formed in the casing below said screens receiving the earth residue and water, and means 'l'or forcing the tine particles oit metal in the earth residue through the mass in said chamber into contact with said amalgamating surface tor collection thereby.

G. In a machine tor extracting and separating metals in the Ytree state from metal hearing earths, a casing, a series ot separating screens mounted therein, a. bottom closure for said casing and Jforming a chamber therewith below said screens, an amalgamating surtace mounted in the chamber Jformed by said closure, means Jtor Aforcing metal bearing earth and water through said screens to separate the larger particles ot earth and metal from thc mass, the chamber `in said casing receiving the earth residue and water at'ter passage through said screens, and blades mounted in said chamber tor rotation through the mass ot' earth residue and wate' to torce the small particles ot metal in the residue into contact with the amalgamating surface by centritngal action.

7. In a machine it'or extracting and separating metals in the tree state trom metal bearing earths, a casing, a series ot separating screens mounted therein,` a chamber rformed in said casing below said screens, a

amalgamating shaker pan mounted in the lower portion of said chamber, an amalgamating surface mounted in said chamber above the shaker pan, means for torcing metal bearing earth and a body ot water through said screens, the residue ot' earth and the water -torming a mass within said casing chamber after passage through the screens, and means within said chamber tor forcing the lighter particles ot metal in the l (l t) llO earth residue through the mass by centrifugal action into contact with said amalgamating surface, the heavier particles of metalin the residue passing by gravity into and collected by said shaker pan.

8. In a machine for extracting and separating metals in the free state from metal bearing earths, means 4for separating out the klarger particles of earth and metal, a chamber for receiving` the earth resi-due after separation of the larger'particles for suspension ina body of water in the chamber, an an'lalgamating pan in said chamber, means for oscillating said pan, an amalgamating surface in said chamber above said pan, and means for 'setting up centrifugal action in theinass of earth residue and water` in the'` chamber to force the lighter particles of metal therein through the mass into contact with vsaid amalgamat-ing surface and to permit the heavier metal particles to drop by gravity into said amalgamating pan.= f s 9. In the art of extracting and separating metals in the freestate from metal Vbearing earths, those stepswhichconsist in placing metal bearing earth lin a body of water, subjecting the water and earth residue to centrifugal action to force the lighter metal particles outwardly through the mass into contact with an amalgamating surface while permitting the heavier metal particles `to drop downwardly through the mass by gravity, and collecting' the heavier particles of metal on an amalgamating-surface y while agitating said surface.

l0. In the art of extracting' and separating metals in the free state from metal bearingearths, those steps which consist in progressively separating out the larger particles of earth and metal from a mass of earth, the largest sizes first and smaller sizes next, placing the earth residue in a body of water, subject-ing the mass of earth and water to centrifugal actionto force the lighter particles of metal laterally through the mass into contact with a fixed amalgamating surface surrounding the mass While permitting the heavier particles of metal to drop downwardly through the mass by gravity, and then collecting the heavier particles lso separated.

11. In the art of extracting and separating metals in the free state from metal bearing earths, those steps which consist in forming a mass of water and metal bearing earth within a fixed amalgamating surface laterally surrounding the mass, subjecting the mass to centrifugal Laction to force the' lighter particles of metal laterally through the mass into contact with the surrounding amalgamating surface while permitting the heaviermetal particlesto dropby gravity through the mass, and collecting the heavier particles of metal so separated on an amalgamating surface below the mass of earth and water within the fixed amalgamating surface.

l2. In a machine for extracting and separating metals in the free state from metal bearing earths, a casing, a series of separating screens mounted therein, ,a removable bottom closure for said casing forming a chamber therein below said screens, an amalgamating surface mounted in the chamber formed by said closure, and a shaker pan mounted on said closure within kthe casing and removable therewith.

f3. In a machine for extracting and separating metals in the free state from metal bearing earths, a casing, a series of separatingscreens in the upper portion of said casing, a removable bottom closure for said casing forming a chamber therewithin below said screens, a vertically disposed amalgamating surface removably mounted in said chamber, and ahorizontally ydisposed amalgamating surface mounted. on and removable with said end closure.

14. Ina machine for extracting and separating metals in the free state'frominetal rating metals in the free state from metal bearing earths, the combination with a vertically disposed amalgamating surface, of a horizontally disposed amalgamating shaker pan mounted below and spaced from said vertically disposed surface.

16. In a machine for extracting and separating metals in the free state from metal bearings earths, the combination with a vertically disposed substantially cylindrical open end amalgamating surface, of a horizontally disposed amalgamating shaker pan mounted below and extending across the lower open end of said vertically disposed surface.

17. In a machine for extracting and separating metals in the free state from metal bearingearths, a casing, a removable bottom closure for said casing forming a chamber therewithin, a substantially cylindrical open end amalgamating surface mounted on said removable closure and vertically disposed within the casing above said closure and spaced from the casing wall, an amalgamating shaker pan mounted on said closure Within the casing below said vertically disposed surface, and said shaker pan and vertically disposed amalgamating surface' removable from said casing with the said bottom closure.

18. In a 1nach1ne for extractingy and sepa rating metals in the free state from metal bearing earths, a casing, a series of separating' screens mounted 111 the upper portion of said casing, means for forcing earth and `oscillatingr said shaker pan, and the said casing` and vertically disposed surface formed with dlscharge ports therethrough from the' chamber therem below said sepav rating screens;

19; In' a machine for extracting and separating metals from metal bearing earths, a

easing', a` seriesot separating' screens mount-` ed in the upper portion ot said casing..l means embodying blades movablev over said screens tor forcing` earth and water through said screens, a bottom closure for said casing forming' a chamber therewithin belouv said' screens, a vertically disposed arnalgau mating surface in and extending around said chamber below said screens, a series o1?. blades rotatably mounted in said casing chamber and surrounded by said amaloamating,` surtace 'l'or subjectineY a mass ot water and earth therein to centrifugal action, an amalgamating shaker pan mounted in said chamber at the lower end olf said vertically disposed amal ,'amatingl surface, the said casing,- formed with a discharo'e port therethrough from the chamber formed therein below said separating' screens, and means causing circulation ot the mass ia said chamber outwardly therefrom throu, g the casing discharge port.

20. In a machine tor extractingl and sepurating metals from metal bearing' earths, the combination with a vertically disposed substantially annular amalganiatingg,l surface, of a horizontally disposed an'ialgamat4 ing' surface mounted at the loiver end ot said vertically disposed surface, and means disposed within and surrounded by said vertically disposed surface for subjectingl a. mass thereu'ithin to centrifugal action.

2l. In a machine for eiftracting` and separating' metals from metal bearing` earths, the combination with a verticallyY disposed substantially annular amalgamating sur tace, ot an an'ialg'amating,l shaker pan mounted beneath said vertically disposed surface, means tor vibrating' said pan and blades rotatably mounted Within and surrounded by said vertically disposed surface above said shaker pan tor'subjecting a inass within said vertically disposed surface to centrifugal action.

Signed at Ithaca, New York, this 10th day of September, 1923;

ALBERT KOCH 

